Ebba Årsjö writes history – receives the Victoria Prize as the very first parade athlete: “It’s completely sick, tears in my eyes!”
Ebba Årsjö writes history.
She is awarded this year’s Victoria Prize – as the first parade athlete ever.
– It’s completely sick, I got tears in my eyes, she says to SVT.
The Victoria Prize is among the finest you can be awarded in Swedish sports, and if you look at previous winners, it is easy to understand why. Ingemar Stenmark was the first to receive the prize, in 1979, and in recent years Armand Duplantis, Sarah Sjöström and Nils van der Poel have been awarded the prize.
Writes history
This year, it was uncertain in advance who would get it, given that Swedish sports have been great over the past year. But it would turn out to be a historic winner. Never before has a parade athlete been awarded the Victoria Prize. Until now.
After having a brackish success in the Paralympics in Beijing, Ebba Årsjö is now awarded the Victoria Prize, which is awarded on the Crown Princess’ birthday in July, on Öland.
– I was very honored when they called. I looked up the list (with winners) on Wikipedia. I do not know if you have seen the list? It is quite massive, she tells SVT.
“Fun to influence”
Ebba Årsjö has a muscle loss in her right leg, which is a consequence of her being born with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. She went to this year’s Paralympics with high expectations, but went home with two gold and one bronze. The alpine skier believes that the prize is important for pari-sport in general.
– I said several times to the person who called that; “What? What are you saying?”. Just a few years ago I sat and was “nobody” and did not want this leg, and now I get this because I have this leg. It’s pretty cool when you think about it, says Årsjö.
Årsjö’s success in the Paralympics – and the new nomination – has also meant a more open life. Something she was looking forward to.
– But I’m not a damn Justin Bieber or anything. Recently I did “Prisoners at the fort” which was great fun. I’ve never seen so many celebrities in my entire life. The month after the Paralympics, people saw one in Ica and recognized the face, she says and continues:
– It’s nice – I’m pretty extroverted so to speak. Then there are many who have their own disabilities who want to talk and then you feel that you may be influencing and it’s fun.
READ MORE: Armand Duplanti’s big goal – in search of the legend’s historical record: “I’m getting closer”